Murder accused said deceased man was 'acting like Gestapo'

The Central Criminal Court in Dublin heard evidence on March 24th regarding a fatal stabbing in Swinford, County Mayo. Matusz Batiuk, aged 33, formerly of Carrabeg Estate, Swinford, has pleaded not guilty to the murder of Michael McDonagh, aged 24, who died from a single stab wound to the stomach on November 16th, 2020. The wound penetrated to a depth of at least 12 centimetres, causing rapid fatal blood loss. In interviews at Castlebar Garda Station, Mr Batiuk stated he acted in self-defence, claiming the deceased and another man, Paul Maughan, had been behaving aggressively in his home and that he believed he was in mortal danger. He told gardaí he had struck the victim once to make him back away rather than to kill him. The trial continues before Ms Justice Mary Ellen Ring and a jury.